2nd General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia Held in Chongqing

 “All parties firmly believe that, through deeper international cooperation in the field of cultural heritage,  strengthening the protection of Asian cultural heritage will make new and greater contributions to the exchange, mutual learning, and progress of civilizations.” This shared conviction was vividly demonstrated from November 26 to 29, 2025, at the 2nd General Assembly and 3rd Council Meeting of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA), jointly hosted by the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, and the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA). Representatives from 33 countries and international organizations traveled across mountains and seas to attend, injecting strong impetus to cooperation and exchange in cultural heritage conservation across Asia, amplifying the value of Asian cultural heritage, and advancing the shared vision of a prosperous and culturally rich Asian home.

Working Together to Protect Asian Cultural Heritage

At the conference, delegates from participating countries reached and released the Chongqing Consensus of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, which reflects a deep, shared recognition of the value of cultural heritage protection. It reaffirmed the fundamental principle of “protection first” and outlined a forward-looking blueprint centered on regional collaboration, technology-driven conservation, and the promotion of Asian practices.

One of the most notable outcomes was the signing of the Host Country Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia. In addition, 15 projects financed by the ACHA Fund, involving countries including Armenia and Cambodia, were officially released. Spanning from institutional safeguards to top-level design, these achievements fully demonstrate the ACHA’s commitment to pragmatic, results-oriented cooperation.

Showcasing the Cultural Charm of Chongqing to the World

As the host city, Chongqing, designated as a National Historical and Cultural City in 1986, boasts a rich cultural heritage: 25,908 immovable cultural relics, 3,230 newly discovered sites, one World Heritage site, four properties on the tentative list, 64 nationally protected major sites, 150 museums, and 1.482 million movable cultural relics. Behind these figures lies compelling evidence of Chongqing’s exceptional cultural endowment.

During the conference, a series of parallel events, including a vibrant exhibition of outstanding intangible cultural heritage, the “Dynamic Chongqing” drone light show, and field visits, showcased international guests Chongqing’s cultural appeal and achievements in heritage conservation.

“The Maldives has a wealth of underwater heritage sites and shares common ground with Chongqing in underwater cultural heritage protection. We look forward to mutual learning and deeper cooperation,” said Adam Naseer Ibrahim, Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage of Maldives, who expressed strong interest in the Baiheliang (White Crane Ridge) Underwater Museum.

Despina Zernioti, Director of the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, Greece, proposed joint exhibitions and academic exchanges between the Corfu Museum of Asian Art and museums in Chongqing, as well as deeper collaboration in areas such as artwork loans and educational program development, to enhance public understanding of Asian arts and its global cultural significance. 

Behind these cooperation intentions lies a two-way journey of shared heritage and enduring cultural continuity. Across Asia, a continent full of vitality, diverse civilizations complement and inspire each other, jointly writing an enduring chapter in the progress of human civilization. This conference stands as a testament to the safeguarding of civilization, where deepened cross-border cooperation empowers Asian countries to use cultural heritage as a bond and build a more close-knit community with a shared future.

 By Yang Yan/The World and Chongqing

Photos/The Host